Lionsgate Rebooting LEPRECHAUN for 2013 Release

That Leprechaun reboot that nobody asked for is on its way. Variety reports that Lionsgate is teaming up with WWE Studios to take the franchise and “put a modern-day spin on it.” A 2013 release date is planned despite the fact that no writer, director or cast is attached. The series began in 1993 with Warwick Davis and Jennifer Aniston in one of the first roles of her career. The pic was made for a mere $900,000 and grossed nearly $9 million at the box office. It also succeeded in scaring the shit out of me (and Garth) with its VHS cover. The basic setup of the films is that a murderous leprechaun sets out to reclaim his gold from thieving fools by any means necessary.

The franchise spawned six films (seriously) with such horror classics as Leprechaun: In the Hood and Leprechaun: In Space. It’s worth noting that this is a film series that flourished thanks to the VHS market and weekly strolls down Blockbuster aisles that culminated in “What the hell? We have to watch this!” It’ll be interesting to see what direction producers take in a climate where found footage and torture porn rule the horror box office. Hit the jump to watch the trailer for the first Leprechaun.